"You've been fired," declared Zhang Dahhu, the company's boss, as he slowly turned around, his face stern as he looked at Ye Fan standing before him and slammed the termination notice down on the table.
Suddenly summoned to the boss's office, Ye Fan's heart filled with trepidation. He knew being called in by the boss alone was never good news, but he hadn't expected to be fired.
Ye Fan was momentarily stunned, staring blankly at Zhang Dahhu with eyes reddening. He struggled to form words; this job, though not well-paying, was a lifeline for someone in his dire financial situation.
"Are you deaf? Did you not hear what I just said?" Zhang Dahhu said coldly, casting a scornful glance at Ye Fan.
Regaining his composure slightly, Ye Fan looked up, barely managing a forced smile towards the furious Zhang Dahhu, "Director Zhang, you're joking, right?"
Zhang Dahhu slammed his hand on the table, leaning forward to glare intensely at Ye Fan. "Do I look like I'm joking?" he asked.
Seeing Zhang Dahhu's anger, Ye Fan realized the man was not kidding.
"I want to know the reason," said Ye Fan, taking a deep breath to stay calm. "I've been with the company for three years, always diligent and error-free. On what basis am I being fired?"
"Hah!" Zhang Dahhu laughed at Ye Fan's question, pointing a finger at Ye Fan's nose, "On what basis? Because I'm the boss here, and I can fire whoever I want. Now I'm telling you to get lost, get out immediately."
Ye Fan knew the boss was serious this time and that the job was definitely gone. He had been loyal since the boss started the company, never expecting that once the company had made it, he would be let go. The more he thought about it, the more helpless he felt, holding back his rage and resentment, he said slowly, "It's fine to fire me, but you can't shortchange me my wages."
At the mention of wages, the boss's eyes bulged out in anger, and he stared at Ye Fan with a face full of rage, shouting, "You have the nerve to ask for your salary? Get out, right now."
Since things had come to this, Ye Fan was ready to go all in. He said at once, "Letting me go is fine, but my point still stands, settle my wages."
The boss became infuriated on the spot. Before he could erupt, Ye Fan continued, "If you don't settle my wages, I will sue you."
"You'll sue? I have people," the boss said with a sneer. He was not worried about being sued by Ye Fan, confident in his wealth and power. Moreover, the company's legal department was fully capable of handling such matters, skilled as they were at dealing with these types of situations.
Having followed the boss for three years, Ye Fan was well aware of his strength; not enough to claim influence in both legitimate and illegitimate circles, but certainly powerful and influential. If it really came to a lawsuit, the outcome was uncertain. But what was he to do? Ye Fan needed that salary to make ends meet.
Suddenly, Ye Fan had an epiphany, pulled out his phone, and said to the boss, "I've recorded our conversation just now. If you don't pay me my salary, you should know the consequences."
The boss's face changed unpredictably as he looked at Ye Fan. He seemed reluctant to tarnish his image as a star boss and, perhaps wanting to resolve the issue quickly, briskly took out his wallet. He casually grabbed a handful of hundred-yuan notes and slammed them onto Ye Fan's face, bellowing, "Take the money and get the hell out of here immediately."
Ye Fan stood in shock, gazing at the banknotes that had fallen to the floor, then back at his enraged boss. His eyes turned blood-red and his fists clenched. This was a blatant slap in the face, but up against the wealthy and overbearing boss, Ye Fan had no choice but to endure. He bent down to pick up the banknotes and was about to walk out the door when he suddenly turned around and said to the boss, "Zhang Dahhu, one day, you will kneel down and beg me."
The boss immediately grabbed a chair and hurled it toward the doorway, but Ye Fan had already left.
Clinging tightly to the banknotes in his hand, Ye Fan walked down the stairs with an expressionless face. Full of grievance and anger, he even forgot to go back to the office for his belongings and headed straight downstairs.
"Look at his face, he's either been fired or scolded."
"He always likes to meddle in affairs that don't concern him. Now he's messed with our company's major client. Isn't that asking for trouble?"
Coworkers passing by Ye Fan nearly all wore a schadenfreude expression, eager to watch the drama unfold. A few even followed him downstairs to keep watching the spectacle.
Ye Fan, consumed by anger, glanced around indifferently without saying a word and continued downward. Just as he reached the entrance, two brawny men immediately rushed up, grabbed his arms, one on each side, and hauled him outside.
Ye Fan, startled and disoriented, realized what was happening only after he had been escorted to the warehouse at the back. Standing in front of him was none other than the wastrel Huo Zilong, who was rumored to have a family fortune of tens of millions and wielded too much power in Ninghai City.
At that moment, Huo Zilong had a cigar in his mouth, cocked his head as he looked at Ye Fan, reached out to grab his hair, and said in a mocking tone, "Kid, you've got some nerve, meddling in my affairs. Haven't you heard around Ninghai City, no one dares to mess with me?"
Being restrained by two strong men, Ye Fan was truly scared, but having already suppressed a bellyful of rage, he impulsively retorted, "I just did today." If Ye Fan had to make the choice again, he would still confront Huo Zilong. He couldn't just watch a girl being bullied. If it were your family member and other people just stood by and watched, how would you feel? It would definitely enrage you, and you might even take your anger out on those who looked on passively.
Seeing Huo Zilong clarified why Ye Fan had been fired.
Huo Zilong was taken aback for a moment. He did not expect the seemingly frail Ye Fan to talk back to him like that. He patted Ye Fan's face and said menacingly, "Who the hell do you think you are, daring to meddle in my business? I think you're sick of living."
Having been humiliated by the boss already, Ye Fan was filled with fury. Now being insulted by a wastrel, he erupted on the spot, struggling to break free from the bodyguards' hold. His attempt failed, and in desperation, Ye Fan lifted his foot and kicked Huo Zilong hard, sending him sprawling on the ground.
Huo Zilong, reeling from the kick, was instantly enraged. Ignoring the pain, he got up and shouted, "Beat him to death… He dared to hit me…"
The frail Ye Fan was no match for two professional bodyguards. Two punches had him sprawled on the ground, and before he could react, he was already down. As he struggled to get up, his hands were stepped on, causing him such pain that he grimaced.
Huo Zilong cruelly ground his foot on Ye Fan's hands and said, "Help him up."
Just as Ye Fan was being lifted, Huo Zilong viciously aimed a kick at his abdomen, sending him flying three meters away and crashing heavily into an unclosed distribution box. Sparks flew, and pale blue electrical arcs writhed...
Seeing that things had gone badly in the workshop, people scattered in a rush. Huo Zilong, realizing the severity of the situation, also grew afraid and hastily fled with his bodyguards...
Accompanied by intense pain, Ye Fan's body convulsed uncontrollably, his ears filled with screams. By now, having lost consciousness, Ye Fan couldn't hear anything at all.
After an unknown amount of time, Ye Fan slowly opened his eyes and found them covered. Besides darkness, he could see nothing.
"Ye Fan, are you awake?" Zhang Wei excitedly grabbed Ye Fan's arm.
"What happened to me? Why can't I see anything?" Ye Fan instinctively reached to touch the bandage over his eyes, but a surge of intense pain shot through his entire body, making him instinctively lower his hands as he shouted in terror, already realizing he might... be blind...
Zhang Wei quickly tried to comfort him, "Don't get agitated, the doctor said your injuries aren't very serious, and you should be fine with a few days' rest."
Ye Fan gave a bitter laugh, holding his head as he sat on the hospital bed. He already recalled everything that had happened. The shock from the distribution box, the 380-volts of industrial electricity, could have taken his life in an instant. It was a miracle he was alive; the words about resting for a few days were just meant to comfort him.
Just then, a familiar voice came from outside the door.
"Young Master Huo, rest assured, the kid didn't die. He's just injured. I've already asked the doctor. At worst, he will end up blind or disfigured, but his life isn't in danger... You can rest assured, I'll handle this. I've already arranged for it to be processed as a work injury."
Then Zhang Dahhu, wearing a thick gold chain, swaggered in.
Upon entering, before Ye Fan and Zhang Wei could speak, Zhang Dahhu blurted out, "Ye Fan, have you lost your mind? First, you meddle in others' business, playing hero to save the beauty, nearly causing the company to lose an order worth hundreds of thousands. Then you start fighting in the workshop, causing the company to lose tens of thousands."
Zhang Dahhu's only purpose for coming to the hospital today was to check if Ye Fan would die. If Ye Fan indeed succumbed to his injuries, both he and Huo Zilong would not be able to escape responsibility. Even if Zhang Dahhu covertly reported it as an accident, he would still end up in jail.
Now seeing that Ye Fan was alive, Zhang Dahhu breathed a sigh of relief.
Before Ye Fan could speak, Zhang Wei, his only good friend in Ninghai City, beat him to it: "As Ye Fan's boss, you should be concerned about his current condition, rather than pointing fingers."
At this moment, Ye Fan had no interest in what Zhang Dahhu was saying; he was more worried about his own future. Blind? To live in darkness at such a young age? Thinking about this plunged Ye Fan into despair.
Zhang Dahhu glanced at Ye Fan, his head wrapped in thick bandages, and said indifferently, "Following the normal procedures, you were fired before your injury, so your life or death has nothing to do with the company. You're just unlucky. However, seeing as you've worked for me for many years, I made the effort to pay for your hospital fees. From now on, we're even." After saying that, Zhang Dahhu huffed and turned to leave.
Ye Fan, consumed by despair, felt a surge of rage rise within him, wishing he could rush up and fight Zhang Dahhu on the spot. Unfortunately, Ye Fan couldn't see Zhang Dahhu's location, and after struggling, he almost fell from the bed.
Zhang Wei, quick to react, quickly steadied Ye Fan.
"I'm going to fight him, this damned bastard is shameless," raged Ye Fan, struggling madly, willing to risk everything in his state of despair.
Zhang Wei held Ye Fan tightly and said loudly, "Calm down, your priority is to heal your wounds first."
After struggling fiercely, Ye Fan sighed helplessly. Compared to the wealthy and powerful Zhang Dahhu, Ye Fan was too insignificant, like a drop in the ocean.
Then, a nurse walked into the room and said in a reprimanding tone, "The patient is seriously injured and needs to rest now."
Zhang Wei helped Ye Fan lie back down, then whispered, "Ye Fan, calm down. Don't waste your anger on scum like Zhang Dahhu; it's not worth it. Rest well and heal first."
Ye Fan hung his head, his teeth clenched tightly, silently swearing to take revenge on Zhang Dahhu.
Zhang Wei continued, "Rest well, I'm going out to buy some food. I'll be back to check on you later." After speaking, Zhang Wei left the hospital room.
Once it quieted down, Ye Fan instinctively reached for his jade pendant, which he had bought at the antique market for a hundred yuan. The quality was decent, and it looked a bit like an eye. Ye Fan had always liked it, so he wore it all the time.
Ye Fan's hand grasped at emptiness, and after several attempts, he still couldn't find it. He realized that he might have lost the jade pendant during the fight.